On being prolific

Prolific is a word that I’ve begun to hate. No offense, but everyone exclaims that I’m so prolific when they hear that I’ve written ___ books, I don’t know how to explain it. How do you do it, they ask. Well, I thought I might as well put it down here, once and for all.

This is me trying to look creative although my mum has said it looks like my tummy is hurting.

a) I write every day. At least I try to. Immersing myself in the lives of my characters is so much more interesting than the real world any given day, so I don’t see why I can’t do it all the time. The truth is, I’m addicted to writing. It’s my vice and I let it control me. It’s not always a good thing, believe me.

b) I don’t have a job. I used to, but I wanted to write more than I wanted a dependable salary every month and so here I am. Again, this isn’t something I recommend to everyone. I’ve done this before – quitting job and focusing on writing, so I’m used to being broke most of the time. (Although now, thanks to demon(that which shall not be named) everyone around me also seems to be broke, so I don’t mind it so much.)

c) I love writing. I don’t look at it as a job but I treat it like I treat a job. When I’m in the middle of a book (writing one, I mean), I make sure I get at least a chapter written every day. It’s always tough to get started but once I hit around 10k words, the story, characters take life of their own and all I have to do is just show up at the laptop and let them unfold on their own.

Scribbling my name on notebooks in school prepared me for this. Who am I kidding? I *love* signing my books. Is the only time I feel I’m doing something remotely glamorous.

d) I write in a bubble. Writers are just as insecure as any other creative person. I don’t like being in that place where I’m jealous of another writer because of whatever they have accomplished, shortlists they’re in, awards they’ve won, deals they’ve signed, because none of it is in my control and if they’re getting all of the above, it’s because they deserve it. Since there’s no point in me lamenting about why I don’t get all of the above, I focus on doing what I know best. Writing.

e) Determination – Or maybe ambition. I don’t know. Probably a little of both. The truth is, I just have an inner drive that propels me to write. And most of the time, the writing happens without any thought of publication. I don’t stop to think about who will publish it, or will it get published at all. I try to keep my focus on the work and finish it before all those aspects can factor in.

That’s it. I’m just a crazy person, a glutton for punishment (I hate weekends) and I love to write. This is why I’m so prolific.